Best solution
This refers to ‘The digging-holes myth’ by Jean Dreze (IE, July 1). The MGNREGA is one of the best solutions to fight poverty and unemployment. There is some argument about leakage, but that only refers to the project’s implementation. The other argument is that the scheme offers higher wage rates, the main reason workers no longer work on the fields. But landowners will have to accept this modern environment with modern practices — such as a sustainable wage rate. Shishir Sindekar, Nasik

Ultimate sacrifice
Ex-servicemen’s associations have declared that they will boycott the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war event because of the failure to implement the “one rank, one pension” promise. Given the current no-dialogue atmosphere between India and Pakistan, the latter will likely interpret the Indian “carnival” as an effort to reinforce negative sentiments against it. It would be best if the anniversary of the war is marked in remembrance of our valiant soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. C. Koshy John, Pune

Learn and earn
Undue importance is given to marks scored in examinations (‘Skilling up’, IE, July 1). Instead, the priority ought to be imparting knowledge to students. Greater emphasis should be placed on projects and practicals than on theory examinations. Vocational courses like tailoring, catering, etc, should be introduced from Class VII. Such skills will enable students from economically backward sections to learn and earn. Ketan R. Meher, Palghar

It is good that ITI intakes are up. We must also increase the availability of jobs, which can largely come from small and medium enterprises (SMEs). China developed SME-oriented “industrial zones”, which played a critical role in facilitating their growth from family operations to global powerhouses. These zones provide basic infrastructure, roads, energy, water and sewage ,security, streamlined government regulations, affordable industrial land, technical training, low-cost factory shells and worker housing. Such foresight in nurturing SMEs played an important role in China’s astonishing industrial development over the last two decades. We ought to learn from it if we hope to compete with it in the global market. R. Narayanan, Ghaziabad